With a fast growing home fleet, Haversham SC host their first Supernova Open Meeting.

21 boats turned up travelling from as far as Cardiff (thank you Chris Bower)

Race 1 What little wind there was at 11.00am was being really unkind swinging from North to South every few minutes. This left Barrie Lyman(race officer) with a difficult job of setting a start line and course.

The race got underway on an almost flat calm, those on the Starboard end drifting slightly quicker to the “windward mark?” The first 5 round caught a tiny gust which pushed them way ahead of the rest of the stranded fleet. This lead was never threatened by those behind who had their own separate race leaving Mike Gibson(winner), Neil Boneham, Dave Everett, Jeff Tucker, and Chris Hawley well alone.

Race 2 From the bank it seemed as though race 2 was going to be much better but once on the water it became apparent that although the wind had risen a little it had still not settled, regularly watching the burgee swing round and round, It made for nail biting racing nevertheless and one could never tell what luck or misfortune the next shift would bring. Mark Giles had the shock of his life whilst beating up the lake when Neil Cullimore who had fallen asleep on the run, capsized on top of him.

Paul Earnshaw got well into the lead with the ever consistent Mike Gibson behind, just fighting off Dave Everett and Neil Boneham. Ian Casewell put in a good performance coming fifth.

At the end of race 2, none of the competitors could sit on their laurels, and a good result in race 3 was important to many.

Race 3 The whole fleet set off line on Starboard, only 2 boats Richard Pakes and Geoff Birch tacked off early to Port and picked up a lovely lift on the cleaner air,

By the windward mark Richard was in the lead chased by Paul Earnshaw, Steve Hawley, brother Chris, Geoff Birch and Mike Gibson. Richard and Steve got away steadily over the next lap and changed places a couple of times. At the finish Steve Hawley beat Richard Pakes by 2 seconds with brother Chris Hawley 3 rd, Mike Gibson and Paul Earnshaw.

Thanks to the visitors for coming, well done to WindGuru for accurately forecasting the awful shifty winds, and to our sponsors for their generous cash prizes to add to the club glassware.

Author – Richard Pakes

Overall Results                                                                         Full Results
1st. Mike Gibson - Bartley S.C.
2nd Paul Earnshaw - Haversham S.C.
3rd Neil Boneham - Bartley S.C.
4th David Everett - West Oxon S.C.
5th Steve Hawley - Severn S.C.
6th Chris Hawley - Severn S.C.
7th Richard Parkes - Haversham S.C.
8th Jeff Tucker - Haversham S.C.

1st over 50 Neil Boneham